Fall 2018

Control (HC version)

Control (PB version)

Catalyst (Control #2)

Among the Shadows: 13 Stories of Darkness & Light

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Author Spotlight: February is Full of Grace

Hello! Today I'm featuring February Grace and her debut novel, GODSPEED. I've known February as a writer and poet, blogger and tweeter, painter and friend. She's wicked talented.

Here's the lovely February:

And here is her lovely book:

Abigail’s young life was saved by the kindness of strangers: Schuyler Algernon, the man who found her collapsed on cold city streets, and Quinn Godspeed, the doctor who risked everything by breaking the law to keep her fragile heart beating.

As the truth about what she’s become and her feelings for her savior overtake her, Abigail is forced to ask what constitutes life, living, and what dark secrets are contained within Godspeed’s past and the walls of Schuyler’s house.

And now on to the dirt! Time for some interview questions!

1. You've had your own share of medical issues. No need to get specific, but did that influence the creation of your characters and/or your plot?
The short answer is yes, to both. Just one quick example for you, one character has issues with her vision. Given my history of problems with my sight, I was able to describe that in a way that I don't think a person who hadn't experienced it would be able.

Also, it was in my mind that a team of doctors at one of the best hospitals in the country said that I "Set them back a hundred and fifty years" as far as what they could do for my eyes, so it helped me think about how praciticing medicine might be different in Godspeed's time, which I never specified but I thought to be somewhere between 1890 and 1910 or there abouts. So yes, at least something good came from my long history as a patient-- a unique perspective on the characters.

2. Steampunk is such a thrilling genre! How did you end up choosing steampunk as a setting/world for Godspeed?
I consider Godspeed to be a literary romance with what I call "Steampunk embellishments". I tried to read the popular Steampunk books, because I've always been crazy for the gadgets, the clothing, the clocks and all manner of gearwork. Trouble for me was I'd get to the zombies or gore and stop reading. They felt more horror to me than anything else. So I guess in the end I wrote the book I wanted to read when I went looking for Steampunk influenced stories.

I know it probably won't be "steampunky" (is that a word? It is now!) enough for the hard-core fans of that genre, but for a reader who wants a story that's a little less jarring and completely zombie free, this might be the ticket. I hope they'll give my characters and my hybrid world a try.

3. Please tell us how you got your name, February. If this answer is simply "I was born in February" please skip to question #4. :)
February Grace is my pen name, and has been for about four years now. It actually began as the name of a character I wrote in an online adventure series I participated in. I think I invented the fictional Bru way back in early 2007.

After I got my sight back and decided to get more serious about my writing I knew I wanted a pen name, something memorable and different- and that name was the one that came back to me. Since I was so used to being called bru already as a nickname because of the character it took no time at all to get used to using it every day. Now it is who I am, in writer form :~) And besides, I have so many nicknames pretty much the only people who call me by my 'real' name work in doctor's offices.

4. Some advice for other writers please! It can be about the process of writing, or publishing, or just living.
Oh, wow. Well, I would never presume to give anyone advice on technique, or anything like that because in so many ways what makes 'good' writing is so subjective.

From the path I've taken, though, I would just offer this: follow your heart. If you want to be traditionally published, then keep going on that road. If your heart says you want to venture out and try doing it independently, then sieze the day. Don't let anyone demean the road that your heart tells you is the right one for you.

Yup. If you go indie follow your heart...and hire a great copy editor!

Just wanted to say hi to everyone this morning and thank you again for all your kind words!

I also forgot to mention another detail about the pen name: the original idea for using February as a first name was actually inspired by a Josh Groban song with February in the title! So there you have it, now you know the whole story :~)

The concept of literary romance mixed with steampunk is so intriguing! Thanks for featuring the book and the interview with February. And February, I needed that bit about follow your heart. In more ways than one today, so a special thanks for that.

You have the coolest pen name, February! And I especially love "Bru." Thanks for this interview, it was fun to read. :)

I appreciate you saying that "what makes 'good' writing is so subjective," because it really is. There's always a book out there for someone - what one reader may think isn't that great may turn out to be the best kind of story for another reader.

I want to offer my sincerest apologies to my most gracious host Lydia and to all of you that have commented that I have not been more present to respond here the past few days.

Right after my last post here I received sudden, shocking and devastating family news out of the blue (which I will likely blog about on my own blog after I get my bearings a little) and I have been in something of a state of shock or crying ever since.

I haven't been able to think of words to say in response to your wonderful remarks but believe me reading them at this time has been a wonderful and unexpected source of comfort, since the only thing I can try to do is keep busy and keep my mind focused on what I have, and have accomplished.

One of those things I have accomplished is finishing Godspeed and sharing it with the world, and reading about your interest in the book is truly heartening.

I hope that you will enjoy it when you read it and that the characters will win a little place in your heart, as they have so completely taken over mine.

Thank you again for all your comments and kind words, I promise I have read every single one. Thank you for visiting my blog too, and thank you again, Lydia, for having me; you are the best. <3

Medical Disclaimer

IN NO WAY SHOULD THE CONTENTS OF LYDIAKANG.BLOGSPOT.COM BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALL CONTENT ON THE SITE IS GENERAL IN NATURE, AND PROVIDED FOR FICTIONAL SCENARIOS ONLY. NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ OR MAYBE MIS-INTERPRETED ON THIS WEBSITE, OR ANY LINKS RELATED TO IT.

The materials provided on this site are for informational purposes and are not intended for use as diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional.

Check with a physician if you suspect you are ill, or believe you may have one of the problems discussed on this website, as many problems and disease states may be serious and even life-threatening.

Also note that medical information changes rapidly. Therefore, some information may be out of date, inaccurate, or erroneous. Neither this blog/website or it author(s) will be responsible for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented on this website.